Dardanelle Sand Lizards hold off RebelsCourier sports staff HIGHLAND - From the first play of scrimmage to the final offensive possession, the Dardanelle Sand Lizards did just what they needed Friday night to hold off the host Highland Rebels 21-14 and advance to the quarterfinals of the Class AAAA state playoffs. Dardanelle (10-2) quarterback Kendall Pinkney started the game for the Sand Lizards with a bang - rather, a 60-yard run from scrimmage to the Highland 8. Teammate Mark Ha...

Augusta too much for J.C. Westside RebsMichael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor COAL HILL - It appeared the entire community of Coal Hill came out Friday night to cheer on Johnson County Westside as the Rebels hosted a Class AA second-round state football playoff game for the first time in school history. The visiting Augusta Red Devils, however, and their rushing attack spoiled Westside's milestone by beating the Rebels 49-14 and ending their season. "I'm very proud of these gu...

DHS Sr. boys begin season with 56-41winCourier sports staff DHS Sr. boys beat Paris The Sand Lizards defeated Paris 56-41 Tuesday night. The Sand Lizards lead the entire game, 15-6 in the first quarter, 26-18 in the second and 44-26 in the third period. Leading scorer for Dardanelle was Allen Taylor with 18 points; he was followed by Macy Thompson, who had 12 points. Chris Keith had nine-points and Justin Heiser had seven points in the Lizards' win. Heiser led the team in rebounds ...

Confident RebelsJ.C. Westside controls its own destiny as its hosts Augusta Michael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor COAL HILL - Johnson County Westside could be the envy of many other football teams who aren't facing the Rebels' situation. J.C. Westside is coming off its first playoff victory in school history and now will host the second round of playoffs against Augusta at 7:30 p.m. Friday. "Just like we preached to them from Day 1, work hard and you'll...

Cyclones never quit, win 24-20Seniors step up big in 4-point win Michael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor Russellville head coach Jeff Holt said his team wanted a chance to prove its defense was for real. The Cyclones got their chance with 7:25 left in the fourth quarter of Friday night's Class 7A first-round playoff game as Russellville scored 14 unanswered points to come back and beat Fort Smith Northside 24-20 at Cyclone Stadium. "They never quit. That has been our m...

Red Devils dominate PerryvilleAtkins turns frustrations into dominating performance By Quinton Bagley Sports Editor ATKINS - After being defeated 77-15 in the previous two weeks, Atkins came out with renewed vigor Friday night as the Red Devils hosted Perryville in a Class AAA state playoffs first-round game at Lemley Field. Atkins fans were not disappointed as the Red Devils defeated the Mustangs 29-0 to advance to Friday's second round. It was a great night for football,...

Dardanelle earns first-round win, beats Leopards 34-27By Corey Thone For The Courier DARDANELLE - The Dardanelle Sand Lizards fought hard for Friday night's playoff win against the DeQueen Leopards. With 9 seconds left in the game Dardanelle held a 28-27 edge, but a fumble recovery by Sand Lizard defensive back Tyler Balloun returned for a 50-yard TD secured a win for the Lizards. Both teams struggled on offense as they were held scoreless in the first quarter. The Leopards scored first in the se...

Wildcats end Pottsville's seasonBy Dale Constance The Searcy Daily Citizen SEARCY - Same coach, different team, same result. For the second consecutive year the Harding Academy Wildcats used a second-half rally to end Bryan Rust's playoff hopes. Harding Academy scored 41 points after halftime and came back to beat the Pottsville Apaches 47-28 in the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs Friday night at First Security Stadium. In his first season at Pottsville, Rust led ...

Mustangs hungry for playoff winOla feels good about its chances Michael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor Ola's football team is hungry for a playoff win, according to head coach David Minnie. The Mustangs (5-4, 3-2 5AA Conference) failed to seize the opportunity to split the 5AA Conference title with Mountain Pine last week, and now the team will face the Des Arc Eagles (5-5, 4-2 6AA Conference) in the first round of the Class AA playoffs. Minnie said the team feels good...

Now or neverDanville using 'lose or go home' mentality Michael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor Last week the Danville Little Johns answered the call and defeated the Bigelow Panthers 35-20 to make the playoffs for the 30th time in school history. Friday, Danville will take on the Mount Ida Lions, a team they have already faced and lost to this season. Little John head coach D.J. Crane said he knows his team can compete with the Lions and keep its seas...

Pottsville earns win over WildcatsHector says goodbye to four seniors Michael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor HECTOR - The Wildcats set out to finish their season on a positive note and they did, matching their season-high three touchdowns as they lost to the Pottsville Apaches 50-19 Friday night at Wildcat Stadium. Regardless of how the season started and finished for the Wildcats, senior quarterback Hunter Huffmann said it's been a difficult season, but the fans and town...

Red Devils drop another road gameAtkins struggles for second consecutive week By Quinton Bagley Sports Editor LAVACA - Two weeks ago, Atkins was tied for first place in the 4AAA Conference with the Charleston Tigers. Two weeks later, the Red Devils have dropped consecutive road conference games and will be the No. 3 seed heading into next week's Class AAA playoffs after dropping Friday night's game at Lavaca 42-17. The Golden Arrows (7-3, 5-2 4AAA) scored three times in the f...

Danville wins; Mustangs fallBy Quinton Bagley Sports Editor DANVILLE - The Little Johns needed to win Thursday night to earn a trip to the Class AA state playoffs, and Danville fans were not disappointed as the Little Johns defeated Bigelow 35-20. The Panthers drew first blood with a 6-yard run by Cody Gunther. The extra-point kick was no good, and Bigelow led 6-0. Danville (5-5, 3-2 5AA) answered as Little John Leroy Ruiz returned the kickoff 80 yards for the score. Uly...

Lizards secure second place with win over PanthersBy Corey Thone For The Courier DARDANELLE - The Sand Lizards will host to a playoff game for the first time since 2004, and the second time in 20 years next week as a result of Dardanelle's 28-14 win over the Clarksville Panthers at Bob Keenan Field on Friday night. The Panthers, who squeezed into the fourth spot in the playoffs after Dover beat Clinton on Thursday night in Dover. This was a battle between two of the best teams in the 4AAAA, a...

Cyclones can't stop Cabot's running gameRussellville retains No. 2 seed from 7A Central By Quinton Bagley Sports Editor The Cyclones had already clinched the No. 2 seed for next week's playoffs, but were looking Thursday night to remain in a first-place tie for the conference championship. Cabot's Panthers needed to win by 13 points and have a few other things bounce their way to even make the playoffs. Needless to say, Cabot fought for its playoff life Thursday night and defeated t...

Same situation, different seasonLizards, Panthers battle has playoff implications for 2nd straight year By Corey Thone For The Courier DARDANELLE - It's deja vue all over again. (Thank you, Mr. Yogi Berra). Last year, the Sand Lizards were in a similar situation they are in this week. After beating Booneville, Dardanelle needed a win over Clarksville to secure a first-round playoff game at Keenan Field, but it didn't happen. This year, Clarksville needed Dover (3-6, 2-4 4AAA...

Little Johns need a winDanville can make the playoffs for 30th time in history Michael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor The Little Johns could continue to make history with a win over Bigelow at 7 tonight at Little John Field. Danville has made the playoffs 29 times in its history and is second only to Rison's 31. "We've [Danville] been to the playoffs ever since. It's very rare if Danville doesn't make the playoffs. As far as tradition goes, it's expected to go ...

Ola could share 5AA title with win tonight30 years of waiting could come to an end tonight for Mustangs Michael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor Ola has the chance to do something tonight it hasn't done it almost 30 years - share the 5AA Conference title. Mustang head coach David Minnie said a victory will be awarded to the team who wants the game the most. "It's going to be a hard-fought battle. It's not going to be a gimme, I promise you," Minnie said. "They're fighting for a pla...